Member Article

Cheshire wedding venue sees bookings increase by 60% on pre-pandemic levels

A Cheshire wedding venue has seen bookings increase by 60% compared to pre-pandemic levels, as confidence among couples continues to bounce back.

Larkspur Lodge in Knutsford has been inundated with enquiries and bookings throughout the last twelve months and while the industry’s much-anticipated pent-up demand has calmed, dates continue to be snapped up in 2024 and beyond.

The family-run business, set within a 200-year-old vintage barn in an enviable location, hosts up to 180 guests complete with free parking. Traditional features are complemented by eye-catching quirks including vintage cinema seats in the barn’s Ceremony Room and pony and trap seats in its Bar Lounge. A large outdoor area ideal for drinks and outdoor ceremonies has proved particularly appealing to those booking spring and summer dates.

Matthew Mooney and Richard Walker, co-owners of Larkspur Lodge, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see bookings surpass pre-pandemic levels, and to see confidence rising among couples as they look forward to their special day.

“The disruption caused by lockdowns has given wedding venues time to reflect and make changes, and we’re delighted that our approach is clearly working for many couples. Post-Covid, it’s no longer enough to simply offer a venue for hire. There’s a need for greater certainty, clarity, and control – things that were often in short supply during the pandemic! “As a team, we realised that as we emerged from Covid, we’d need to carefully consider the changing trends of the wedding industry. Some of these trends have played into Larkspur Lodge’s favour. Many people moved away from largescale weddings in pursuit of smaller, more intimate occasions - perfect for a venue like ours.

“Sophie Bradley, our Wedding and Events Director, has been really key on the planning and creativity side. The flexibility of a venue like ours allows couples to embrace their individuality, ensuring they can celebrate their big day, their way.

“On the food and drink side of things, we appointed sister business Fork & Field Catering as exclusive caterers, giving us and our couples greater control over their menu and the costs involved. With over 40 years of hospitality experience and some 1000 weddings under their belt, the catering team are well placed to translate a brief into the perfect menu.”

The venue has attributed several other cost-savvy initiatives to its success including being able to provisionally reserve a wedding date for one week without a deposit and adding weekday wedding packages with a range of planning tips to reduce the overall cost.

The pandemic gave the venue an opportunity to show its support for its external suppliers, who also faced significant challenges during lockdowns.

“As a business, we’ve worked hard to support our most trusted suppliers to help them bounce back. At the end of the day, the prosperity of our suppliers means our couples get the most choice when it comes to things like hotels, flowers and the cake,” Matthew and Richard added.

Couples who married at Larkspur Lodge in 2022 have taken to online review platforms to praise the ‘beautiful and intimate venue’ as well as the ‘attention to detail of staff’.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by MARK HAYWARD .